Via the Daily Local News
By Donna Rovins, drovins@21st-centurymedia.com, @MercBiz on Twitter
Pictured: Carra Cote-Ackah, director of Vanguard’s Community Stewardship efforts, speaks with children and families at the Drexel Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships. The program is funded by contributions from Vanguard employees and corporate commitments. Submitted Photo
The Vanguard Strong Start for Kids Program recently presented a $1.63 million grant to Drexel University’s West Philadelphia Action for Early Learning initiative.
The grant will help to improve the quality of early childhood education in the West Philadelphia Promise Zone, according to a press release. In addition to Vanguard’s grant, the William Penn Foundation also presented a three-year $987,000 grant to the Action for Early Learning initiative.
Carra Cote-Ackah, director of Vanguard’s Community Stewardship efforts, along with Drexel President John Fry and Janet Hess, board chairwoman for the William Penn Foundation, met with families from the community April 19 at the Drexel Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships.
“The Vanguard Strong Start for Kids Program is proud to support improvements in early childhood education through Drexel’s West Philadelphia Action for Early Learning Initiative,” Cote-Ackah said in the release. “Research has demonstrated that investments made early in children’s lives can set them on the path towards more successful life outcomes, and we’re delighted to help provide more high-quality opportunities for young children to learn, grow and thrive in our local communities.”
Vanguard’s Strong Start for Kids Program is the company’s signature charitable initiative. Established in 2015, it is supported by Vanguard’s employees — or crew as they are referred to by the company.